There are as many ways of experiencing transcendence as there are people. It can be a religious experience of feeling close to God, or a non-religious but spiritual feeling of connectedness to other people, nature, or the universe, or it can refer to a secular experience of rising above a difficult situation. Sometimes, age can help us be more open to transcendence.

The average person has more access than ever to cutting edge scientific research. But the downside is that with more information also comes more responsibility—and confusion—especially as research keeps reversing itself (eggs are bad for you, no, good for you, no…)

Now, even Oprah wants younger readers—like 20 years younger— according to the New York Times. And here I am, having the bad taste to turn 50 in just a few days, wondering who will want me as a reader. I guess I should be feeling pretty bad about getting older. I don’t.

About The Flip Side

The Flip Side is about stuff. Life is complicated, whether you're dealing with heartache, cancer, kids, or happiness (or about the pressure to be feeling happy!). The Flip Side looks at the issues of life with the depth, seriousness, and sense of humor they deserve.